From the Desk of Pitlane Press India

The 2027 Formula 1 calendar, unveiled by the FIA and the Formula 1 Group, will see the sprint format expand to 10 events across the globe. Per Formula1.com, the sprint races will now take place at every Grand Prix except the United States, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the British, Italian, and Japanese races, which will retain the traditional three‑part weekend. This change means that for the first time, a sprint will be held at every race except the four biggest markets.

In a move designed to keep fans engaged throughout the weekend, the sprint will be a 100‑kilometre, 10‑lap race that determines the starting grid for the main race. The points awarded—three for first, two for second, and one for third—will also influence the championship standings. The expansion to 10 sprints will bring the total number of race‑weekend sessions to 14, up from the 12 in 2026, offering more action for viewers and teams alike.

From an Indian perspective, this means more opportunities to watch live racing action on FanCode. The 2027 season will start on 11 March in Bahrain and will run through 25 November in Abu Dhabi. Indian fans can catch the live streams in Indian Standard Time (IST) with the first sprint on 12 March at 20:00 IST, followed by the main race at 23:00 IST. FanCode will broadcast all 10 sprint races, and the main races will be available on the platform’s “F1 Live” channel.

Teams will need to adapt their strategies to the increased sprint frequency, balancing tyre usage and car setup for the shorter, high‑intensity races. Drivers will also have more chances to earn points early in the season, potentially reshaping the championship battle. For fans, the added sprints mean more drama and a tighter schedule to follow, especially during the Indian summer months when the weather can be unpredictable.

Source: Formula1.com

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